A PARENT'S PERSPECTIVE
ON THE 1986 NFB CONVENTION

(Editor's Note: This artical appeared
in the January 1987 Braille Monitor and
is reprinted here with some editing of
the introduction to the letter.)

At the 1986 convention I asked several
parents who were attending far the first
time if they would write and give me
their impressions of the convention.
One of the parents I asked was Debbie
Hamm.

Debbie is the mother of Jonathan (one
and half years old), who has been blind
from birth. Although Debbie is new to
the NFB, she has leaped right in and
demonstrated lots of enthusiasm and
willingness to work. She is the treasurer
of the Northwest Chapter (Oregon
and Washington), NFB Parents Division,
and was elected secretary to the Parents
Divison's national board at the annual
meeting in Kansas City.

Late in August I received Debbie's
letter describing her reaction to the
National Federation of the Blind convention.
The letter is one of the most
moving I have ever read and it is reprinted
in full in this article. In it,
Debbie doesn't talk about the agenda or
what dignitary said what when, or even
discuss the pressing issues of the convention.
Yet, her report is as accurate
as any ever written about what the
National Federation of the Blind convention
really means to every blind man,
woman, and yes, child, in this country.

It is not uncommon for parents of
blind children to try and dismiss the
National Federation of the Blind as only
being for blind adults. As if the
rights and welfare of blind adults are
somehow distinct and separate from the
rights, needs, and welfare of blind
children. However, more and more
parents like Debbie Hamm are rejecting
that false notion and coming to understand
that the true nature of the problem
of blindness is a bond that ties all
the blind together regardless of age or
any other characteristic. And it is
recognition of that bond that leads to
true freedom. Nowhere is this more
evident than at a national convention of
the National Federation of the Blind.
But enough said. Debbie's letter
speaks for itself, so here it is:

Roseburg,Oregon
August 12,1986

Dear Barbara,

I am writing as you requested regarding
convention. It is long overdue,
as I have agonized over what I wanted to
say. One, because I am sure there are
many versions to the same story and two,
because it was such a profound experience
for me I find it difficult to describe.

I
became interested in the NFB not
because of literature that was sent to
me, but because a "real" person (Denise
Mackenstadt) called me and invited me to
a parent seminar in Washinton. There I
met blind adults, students, and parents of blind children. They were people who
understood our needs and concerns regarding our hlind children's futures.

As I became means involved, I observed
these people wanting the same education
far children that I wanted for mine:
Braille and cane travel at an early age
to increase literacy and independence.
The basics, yet a necessity that I
didn't see some blind children receiving
in my community. It wasn't just the
system's fault, it was lack of
knowledge. I wanted to know what
Jonathan needed based on the experience
of other blind people, so I could ask
for it.

And then I was invited to the national
convention. What an experience! At
first a little overwhelming. I had
never known a blind person (except those
recently met). I had to face and accept
that I had many misconceptions about
blindness and the abilities of blind
people. But I quickly threw those notions
out!

Never in my life have I been with so
many intelligent, well-educated, capable,
and articulate people. I have
joined other cosganizations but none with
the high quality of leadership, motivation,
and dedication of the membership
that this one has.

There were many notable speakers within
and outside of the organization. It
would be unfair to say any one was better
than another. However, I listened
carefully to each, and they all moved me
with what they had to say.

With so much to absorb in one week,
the thing that will be my fondest memory
is the love and acceptance I received
from so many new friends. People willing to listen (no question too
ignorant) and to share their experiences.
Unafraid to give advice and
offer suggestions. People that I
laughed with and cried with and who
helped me move into new and healtier
attitudes about blindness. And to
accept that my son is O.K., my expectations
for his education are reasonable.
He can be anything he wants to be.

Yes, there will be fnistrations dealing
with ignorance. But there will
always be the NFB and the wonderful
people in it to support and love him.
And who are out there today convincing
the world that blind people are worthy
of all the dignity and respect a sighted
person receives. For that I am relieved
and grateful in a way I can't put into
words. I can only hope I will be able
to give back to the NFB as much as I
received in one short week.

I look forward to bringing my husband
and children to convention next year.
And even more, to rekindling those wonderful
friendships I was fortunate
enough to start in Kansas City.